Arizona Diamondbacks Wiretap

D-Backs Expected To Hire Byrnes To Be GM

The Diamondbacks are expected to name Josh Byrnes their general manager with an announcement coming as soon as Friday. While the club declined comment, all indications were that Byrnes was Arizona's choice to succeed Joe Garagiola Jr., who resigned in August to accept a job with Major League Baseball.

The 35-year-old Byrnes is respected in baseball for being able to blend statistical analysis with more traditional baseball scouting. At 27, he was the Indians scouting director before moving onto the Rockies where he served as assistant GM for three years.

When Theo Epstein was hired as general manager of the Red Sox in 2002, one of the first things he did was hire Byrnes as his assistant.

Via MLB.com

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D-Backs Get Permission To Speak To Towers

The Diamondbacks have permission to interview Padres general manager Kevin Towers for their general manager opening.

Padres spokesman Luis Garcia said CEO Sandy Alderson granted the Diamondbacks permission to interview Towers, who's been San Diego's GM since Nov. 17, 1995.

Neither Alderson nor Towers returned calls seeking comment.

Under Towers, the Padres won three NL West titles and reached the 1998 World Series.

Via ESPN

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GM Kevin Towers Still Could Go To Arizona

Padres' general manager Kevin Towers has not been asked to leave. His keys continue to fit the locks at Petco Park. His parking space remains reserved. Officially, at least, he is still wanted, still welcome and still entitled to the employee discount.

If Towers decides to join the Arizona Diamondbacks, it may be more a matter of narcissism than necessity.

"I said when I came to San Diego that I respected Kevin as a general manager as well as an individual," Sandy Alderson, the Padres' chief executive officer, said yesterday. "I still do. I very definitely think he has a major role to play in our organization. Obviously, the dynamics are a little different now. (But) I don't have a desire for him to leave."

On the surface, at least, the issue here is whether Towers can be content in a subordinate role as his decision-making dwindles. The prevailing opinion in baseball is "no."

Alderson is clearly calling the shots now for the Home Team and no ballclub can function effectively with two bosses. The tea leaves would tell you the Padres' general manager's job is going to get gutted ? if it hasn't already ? and that Towers' 10-year tenure therefore is nearing its end.

Via San Diego Union-Tribune

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Arizona Offers Clayton One-Year Deal

General Partner Jeff Moorad said he met with the representative for Royce Clayton on Monday and made a contract proposal that would keep the free-agent shortstop with the Diamondbacks for one more year.

"We put an offer on the table, which I told them had some movement in order to make a deal," Moorad said. "We're hopeful Royce had a positive experience with the Diamondbacks and that he'll consider coming back next season."

The Diamondbacks aren't likely to budge on the length of the one-year offer, however, not with top prospect Stephen Drew's arrival imminent. Should they sign Clayton, 35, the Diamondbacks could then give the 22-year-old Drew additional time to develop.

Via Arizona Republic

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